Admissions

How to succeed in your MBA interview

Helen Richardson — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:13:30 +0000

How to succeed in your MBA interview

Helen Richardson Tue, 18/02/2025 - 09:13

15 April 2026 Student blog

Developing as a strategic leader through 51�Թ��’s Executive MBA Leadership Journey retreat

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1 April 2026 Features

The ultimate guide to choosing a part-time MBA at 51�Թ��

Part-time MBA programmes have grown in popularity as more professionals look for flexible ways to develop their skills while continuing to work. At 51�Թ��, options include the Weekend MBA, Global Online MBA and Executive MBA, each designed to fit around different schedules and career goals.

18 March 2026 Features

51�Թ��’s Global Online MBA programme ranked second in the world by Financial Times

51�Թ�� Business School is delighted to announce that our Global Online MBA programme has been named second in the world in today’s Financial Times ranking of online MBAs.

20 March 2025

Admissions

Now that you’ve submitted your MBA application, you can start preparing for the next stage. If you’re invited to meet us for an interview, it’s important that you are ready to tell us about yourself and how the MBA fits with your personal and professional ambitions.

The interview is a chance for you to add an extra dimension to your written application and allows us to hear directly from you about your motivations and goals. We also want to learn more about your career aspirations, wider interests, and how the MBA fits with these. What is it about the MBA programme that aligns with your professional ambitions? Are there particular modules or faculty that specialise in areas you’re interested in?

We've put together an in-depth guide on how to succeed in your MBA interview.

Before the interview: preparation is key

1. Research the programme thoroughly

Review the MBA programme’s curriculum, faculty, specialisations, and unique offerings.
Align your career goals with what the programme provides.
Understand the school’s culture, values, and any recent developments.

2. Know your application inside-out

Be prepared to discuss any aspect of your CV, essays, and referees.
Reflect on your achievements, challenges, and motivations for pursuing an MBA.
Identify key experiences that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

3. Anticipate common and behavioral questions

Expect questions like:
- Why this MBA programme?
- Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it.
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your industry/sector now?
Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CARL (Context, Action, Result, Learning) framework to structure answers.

4. Conduct mock interviews

Practice with a mentor, friend, or career coach.
Record yourself to refine tone, clarity, and body language.

5. Set up for a virtual interview

Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection.
Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.
Dress professionally.

During the interview: show your best self

1. Start strong and build rapport

Greet the interviewer with confidence and enthusiasm.
Have a natural and engaging introduction prepared.

2. Be clear, concise, and authentic

Stick to the point; avoid rambling.
Give structured, well-thought-out responses.
Be honest about challenges and weaknesses but focus on your growth.

3. Showcase self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Demonstrate an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement.
Highlight teamwork, leadership, and adaptability.
Show how your experiences will contribute to the School’s diverse community.

4. Engage in a two-way conversation

Prepare insightful questions to ask at the end (e.g., about student experiences, career support, alumni network).
Avoid asking questions that can be easily found on the website.

After your interview

We know that the time between the end of the interview and receiving a decision on your application can be stressful but try not to worry!

It’s natural to replay the interview in your mind—especially if you wish you had given a stronger answer or a better example—but we understand that interviews can feel pressured, and nerves are completely normal. The interview is just one part of the overall admissions process, and a minor slip-up won’t necessarily impact your chances.

And finally…

Please remember we hold interviews because we want to find out more about the real you, so be yourself and be specific! We are not trying to catch you out or put you through an unpleasant experience. We want to bring out the best in you.

Discover our MBA programmes

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3 minute read

Funding your Executive MBA: sponsorships, scholarships and more

Rebecca Pike — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:13:30 +0000

Funding your Executive MBA: sponsorships, scholarships and more

Rebecca Pike Tue, 18/02/2025 - 09:13

15 April 2026 Student blog

Developing as a strategic leader through 51�Թ��’s Executive MBA Leadership Journey retreat

Valentina Amoroso and the Executive MBA Class of 2026 recently attended the Executive Leadership retreat, an immersive experience designed for reflection, coaching and applied leadership development.

1 April 2026 Features

The ultimate guide to choosing a part-time MBA at 51�Թ��

9 March 2026 Scholarship blog

Championing women in leadership with the Inspiring Women – Executive MBA Scholarship

Executive MBA student Pragya Joshi shares why she chose 51�Թ�� Business School, what receiving the Inspiring Women – Executive MBA Scholarship means to her, and how she hopes to champion greater female representation in senior leadership.

13 May 2024

Admissions

Deciding how to fund your Executive MBA programme can seem challenging at first. Having decided to invest in your future and further expand your skillset, the question then becomes: how do I pay for it?

What to consider

Before thinking about the funding options available to you, it’s important to consider the total cost of studying for the Executive MBA. Of course, there are the fees, which include a deposit paid to secure your place upon receipt of an offer. The remainder of the tuition fees are split equally between the two years of the programme. You can pay your tuition fees in one instalment per year when the programme starts in February or, if you are self-funding, in two instalments as set in a Regulated Credit Agreement.

The programme fees cover your tuition for the two years of the programme, any core reading texts and accommodation during any study tours and global residencies you undertake as well as first-class catering for all your on-campus visits. Other costs you’ll need to consider through the duration of your studies include:

Travel to reach London if you live and work outside the city
Flights for the study tours and global residencies
Supplementary texts and study materials
Any additional costs you may incur e.g. additional time away from work to study, childcare, etc.

What are the options?

It’s important to know that there is no ‘right’ way to finance your Executive MBA, and it is in fact extremely common for students to pay for their MBA through multiple funding sources, combining personal resources with company sponsorship, education loans and scholarships.

Personal resources

The first source of funding to consider is your own personal resources. Consider what is available to you in terms of your income, assets, and lifestyle expenses. The ability to fund yourself using personal resources is in no way a requirement for studying the Executive MBA, and accessing this option is simply a means of reducing your dependency on loans and other financing options

Scholarships

Another route to consider when determining how to fund your MBA is applying for scholarships. There are a number of significant scholarship options on offer to our most talented 51�Թ�� Executive MBA candidates, which can be incredibly helpful to self-funded applicants wishing to pursue this programme of study. These range in value based on the type of scholarship and circumstances in which they are awarded, and are worth taking into consideration when you are reviewing funding options for the programme. Self-funded candidates are automatically considered for scholarships, provided they apply before the relevant deadline.

The challenge

Let us start with the big challenge you face. You need to write one personal statement, when you are applying to up to five courses, potentially across five universities. We know that it is highly unlikely that all the options on your personal statement will be economics + finance + data science. We are not looking for students who specifically say they are only interested in studying a course with this combination of subjects, although an interest in this combination would be nice!

Hopefully, this will reassure those wondering how to write a statement that is relevant for multiple courses with different combinations of economics, finance, data science, philosophy, politics, business studies, geography, maths, computer science, and many other subjects. Of course, it is best not to signal that you are only interested in studying politics, philosophy and economics or pure maths or that you dream of studying at a particular institution or in a specific city.

We are looking for applicants who have a strong preference to study our degree, but we understand you may need to be nuanced in how you present your interest.

What we are looking for

We will be assessing your application (grade predictions; past grades; reference letter; and personal statement) in the round. There are six things that we are looking for from potential students. They are:

Strong academic achievements
Curious about evolving boundaries of research and professional practice in economics, and/or finance, and /or data science
Excited by problem-solving and facing new challenges
Passionate about applying quantitative tools and models to commercial and policy questions
Motivated and engaged learners who work well independently and with peers
Strong communicators

Your job is to convince us that you have evidence that you meet these criteria. This is where you get to tell your story in a way that works for your application.

How to tell your story

Try to go beyond your grades, show your curiosity and let us know what makes you stand out from an academic perspective.

There are a multitude of ways to evidence your curiosity about the different subjects in our degrees, including but not limited to:

Subjects chosen at school
Projects that you have worked on
Talks that you have attended or listened to online
Books you have read
Ideas you have had about the relevance of these subjects to business and policy

Again, just to reassure, you can demonstrate your curiosity about all three areas, but convincing evidence of curiosity about just one of the areas or any combination of the three will also be well regarded.

It is also worth emphasising that we do not expect you to have studied the subjects before the course. Our requirement is that you come with strong mathematical skills which will put you in a strong position to learn economics, finance, and data science to a high level in the degree.

An effective way to show us you are suitable for the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science is to hone in on the areas that are common across our course modules: strong quantitative skills and the ability to use those skills to analyse and solve problems.

Applicants who love to work on a new challenge or situation and who use quantitative techniques to find relevant solutions are what we are looking for. This can be demonstrated, for example, through your choice of academic subjects in school, participation in extra-curricular activities and competitions or a story that explains how you solved a new problem in your life. Evidence of you learning how to use technology to support your problem solving is also a nice touch!

You will have your own way of showing us that you are motivated, using examples of times when you were driven to succeed. Similarly, personal stories that show your ability to develop your learning skills (‘learn how to learn’), working independently and with others, will be important. This will help us see that you are likely to succeed in our course, given the need to take ownership of your learning, work independently and engage with group work during your three years.

Our final criterion is communication. How you write the statement will tell us a lot. You can also provide wider evidence of your skills in delivering presentations, writing diverse types of outputs, and listening to others.

Every applicant is unique, and we encourage you to show us what makes you a strong candidate in your personal statement. Of course, if you are invited to interview, we will want to explore your motivation to study the three subject areas together and will dig deeper into how you match what we are looking for.

I hope this helps you shape your statement and wish you well in preparing your application!

Employer sponsorship

A number of students on the 51�Թ�� Executive MBA receive either full or partial sponsorship through their employer, which is an extremely attractive method of funding. This will always be dependent on your personal circumstances as well as those of your employer, but there are several things you can do to create an effective proposal which will demonstrate to your employer the value of your education to both you and the organisation.

The most crucial element is developing a business case which outlines details of your goals and the programme you wish to undertake, as well as reasoning for how these align with the goals and objectives of the business. Other things to consider include:

Identifying your company’s policy on sponsorship and any formal training/development opportunities they may offer. This will also help you identify who might need to receive your business case (line management, senior management, HR, etc)
Speak to colleagues who’ve been sponsored and uncover the benefits this brought to them/the business. You can then reference these in your business case
Decide what level of commitment you want to ask for from your employer, and the level of commitment you’d be prepared to give in return. Students usually receive financial assistance from their organisations by means of full or part-sponsorship. However, support doesn’t have to be financial. Other forms of support you could ask for are flexible working or study leave (often known as “time sponsorship”).

Loans

Loans are an essential consideration for many students looking to fund their Executive MBA, whether they have received partial sponsorship or are looking to self-fund, a loan can help cover anything from 1% to 100% of the cost. In addition to standard loans from banks, building societies and other lenders, there are other financing options available which you may not have considered:

Lendwise - a specialist loan provider dedicated to education finance for UK residents who are looking to fund their postgraduate studies at top universities. For 51�Թ�� London, North American and EU nationals will also be considered for a Lendwise loan. To apply you must have received an offer of admission to a postgraduate degree programme at 51�Թ�� Business School. The application process is entirely online. Contact Lendwise directly to apply.

Postgraduate Master’s Loan – UK and EU students who meet specific criteria can apply for a government-funded loan to help with course fees and living costs while studying a postgraduate master’s course. You then begin repaying this loan when your income is over a certain amount (the ‘threshold’ amount).

When deciding which of the above options is right for you, it’s useful to remember that choosing to pursue an MBA is one of the most important decisions you will ever make and is a substantial investment in yourself and your future. By carefully considering how you finance the programme, you can ensure that your studies remain sustainable for the duration of the programme and beyond.

Fees and funding

The fees for the Executive MBA for both UK and international students.

Download a brochure

Download an MBA brochure.

Explore Executive MBA

Our Executive MBA is a 23-month part-time programme designed to prepare executives to be leaders in a technology-driven world and give you a thorough knowledge of essential business disciplines.

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Executive MBA

8 minute read

BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: writing a UCAS personal statement to impress

Helen Richardson — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:13:30 +0000

BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: writing a UCAS personal statement to impress

Helen Richardson Tue, 18/02/2025 - 09:13

7 November 2025 Student blog

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From competition to internship: working with the Bank of England as a BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science student

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17 October 2025 Student blog

How to prepare for your BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science interview at 51�Թ��

To help you approach your interview with confidence, we’ve reached out to those who know the process best – our current students. Hear from Max, Priyal and Ishir for their advice.

27 June 2022

Admissions

We are excited that you are considering applying for our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science course at 51�Թ�� Business School. One of the things you will be wondering about is how to show your enthusiasm and suitability for the degree in your UCAS personal statement. In this blog, I will provide some pointers and, hopefully, reassurance.

The challenge

The personal statement tackles three questions that will enable you to include the information, examples and experiences that universities want to see. Let us start with the big challenge you face - you may be applying to up to five courses, potentially across five different universities, so how do you tailor your personal statement to suit each different course?

We know that it is highly unlikely that all the options on your personal statement will be economics + finance + data science. We are not looking for students who specifically say they are only interested in studying a course with this combination of subjects, although an interest in this combination would be nice!

Hopefully, this will reassure those wondering how to write a statement that is relevant for multiple courses with different combinations of economics, finance, data science, philosophy, politics, business studies, geography, maths, computer science and many other subjects. Of course, it is best not to signal that you are only interested in studying politics, philosophy and economics or pure maths or that you dream of studying at a particular institution or in a specific city.

We are looking for applicants who have a strong preference to study our degree, but we understand you may need to be nuanced in how you present your interest.

UCAS provides a lot of useful information on how to write an effective personal statement, so a good starting point is to look at their resources.

What we are looking for

We will be assessing your application (grade predictions; past grades; reference letter; TMUA test score; and personal statement) in the round. There are six things that we are looking for from potential students. They are:

Strong academic achievements
Curious about evolving boundaries of research and professional practice in economics, and/or finance and /or data science
Excited by problem-solving and facing new challenges
Passionate about applying quantitative tools and models to commercial and policy questions
Motivated and engaged learners who work well independently and with peers
Strong communicators

Your job is to convince us that you have evidence that you meet these criteria. This is where you get to tell your story in a way that works for your application.

How to tell your story

Try to go beyond your grades, show your curiosity and let us know what makes you stand out from an academic perspective.

There are a multitude of ways to evidence your curiosity about the different subjects in our degrees, including but not limited to:

Subjects chosen at school
Projects that you have worked on
Talks that you have attended or listened to online
Books you have read
Ideas you have had about the relevance of these subjects to business and policy

I hope this helps you shape your statement and wish you well in preparing your application!

Discover the BSc course

The BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science is a first-of-its-kind degree that offers students the rigorous study of economics and finance, combined with the learning of data science and its applications.

Attend an event

Join us at an upcoming event to find out more about 51�Թ�� Business School.

Download a brochure

Download our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science Undergraduate brochure

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BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science

4 minute read

51�Թ��'s BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: your complete application guide

Rebecca Pike — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:39:01 +0000

51�Թ��'s BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: your complete application guide

Rebecca Pike Thu, 06/02/2025 - 10:39

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3 November 2025 Admissions

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Planning to apply for a 2026 Master’s at 51�Թ�� Business School?

16 June 2025

Admissions

We’re delighted you're applying to our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme at 51�Թ�� Business School.

This innovative programme is designed for ambitious students who want to explore the intersection of economics, finance and data science, a combination that’s transforming business and policy. You’ll gain a compelling combination of analytical thinking, hands-on coding skills and economic and financial insights, and have access to 51�Թ��’s top-tier teaching, research, and industry connections.

The competitiveness of our programme reflects the excellence of our student cohort — if you meet the requirements and are passionate about the field, we strongly encourage you to apply through UCAS.

In this blog, we break down the admissions journey, covering key steps and insights that will help you during your application process

Researching programmes and universities effectively

A programme’s title is just the beginning — it’s the individual modules that reveal what and how you’ll actually learn. To truly understand a university programme, it’s important to examine the structure and content of individual modules. These provide insight into the topics you’ll explore and the skills you’ll develop. Taking the time to review this detail can help you assess how well a programme fits with your academic strengths, personal interests and long-term career goals.

Take a closer look and review the modules offered in our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme.

Open Days

Visiting universities in person is one of the most effective ways to deepen your understanding of what each institution has to offer. Attending an Open Day allows you to experience the campus environment firsthand, speak directly with staff and students, and explore the facilities and support services available.

At 51�Թ��, you can register for one of our Open Days, where you’ll have the opportunity to attend subject-specific talks and drop-in sessions tailored to the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme.

On top of this, the Business School offers a variety of events and webinars for prospective undergraduate students, including:

Subject taster lectures delivered by our academic faculty
Q&A panels with current BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science students
Maths Taster Days in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics

These events provide an excellent opportunity to explore our programme in more depth, gain insights into the student experience, and hear directly from academic experts in their fields. Some events also offer a valuable chance to practice advanced mathematics and give you a taste of what to expect if you do come to study at 51�Թ�� Business School.

How to write a personal statement that stands out

As part of your UCAS application, your personal statement should address three key questions that help universities understand your motivation and suitability for the course:

Why do you want to study this course or subject?
How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
What else have you done to prepare outside of your education, and why are these experiences useful?

UCAS provides useful information to help guide you in answering these questions. Due to the interdisciplinary scope of our programme, it’s entirely expected that your personal statement may place greater emphasis on some areas — such as economics, finance, or data science — over others. To support you in crafting a compelling application, Cloda Jenkins, a lecturer on the programme and Head of Year for our first student cohort, has written a helpful blog offering guidance on how to approach your personal statement effectively.

Find out more

How to write a personal statement for 51�Թ��

Preparing for the TMUA admission test

The BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme has a strong analytical focus and is ideal for students who enjoy working with advanced mathematics.

Starting in 2025, we are introducing the Test of Mathematics University Admissions (TMUA) as part of our admissions process.

The TMUA can be taken in either October or January, with no inherent advantage to choosing one over the other. However, we recommend the October sitting, as it allows us to receive your score earlier and align it more efficiently with your UCAS application.

Please note that we can only consider your first test score from the year you apply, so you should only take one test.

To register and find a test centre, go to the TMUA website.

To help you feel confident on test day, we recommend revising key mathematical topics and getting to know the test format in advance.

You’ll find helpful resources, including preparation resources and information about what to expect, on the UAT-UK website.

How do we assess an application?

If you meet our minimum entry requirements – including the necessary mathematics qualifications – and complete the TMUA, your application will be considered for interview.

We take a holistic approach when reviewing applications. This means we look carefully at a range of factors, including your academic performance, subject choices, personal statement, reference and TMUA score.

There’s currently no minimum TMUA score, and we don’t apply fixed weightings to the different components of the application. Instead, we consider your strengths across the full picture of your application.

Looking ahead: what comes next after receiving an offer

Whilst your focus right now is on creating a strong application, a key moment in your decision-making journey lies after you have received an offer.

Offer Holder Days are a chance to get a real feel for life at 51�Թ�� and to explore the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme in more detail. These events give you the opportunity to:

Dive deeper into the programme content beyond our brochures
Attend talks and Q&A sessions with current staff and students
Learn about the academic, wellbeing and pastoral support available
Hear directly from teams covering accommodation, student life and the Students’ Union

Offer Holder Days usually take place in April and are highly recommended – whether you join in person or online, they are a valuable part of confirming that 51�Թ�� is the right place for you.

Applying to the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme at 51�Թ�� is an exciting step toward a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic journey. By understanding the application process, preparing for the TMUA, and exploring the programme in depth through our events and Open Days, you’ll be well-positioned to submit a strong application. We value intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking and a passion for solving real-world challenges; we look forward to seeing how you might contribute to our vibrant student community.

If this programme aligns with your goals and interests, we encourage you to take the next step and apply. We hope to welcome you to 51�Թ�� soon.

Apply to our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme

Apply now

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BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science

We explore the key steps in the admissions journey and share insights into crafting a strong application.

5 minute read

How can you make your application stand out?

Helen Richardson — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:31:14 +0000

How can you make your application stand out?

Helen Richardson Tue, 17/12/2024 - 12:31

28 April 2023 Admissions

Satisfying your English Language Requirement

With the start of term rapidly approaching you will now be looking to meet all your conditions, including your English language requirements to make sure you are ready for the start of term.

16 December 2022 Admissions

The Quantitative Experience Statement Explained

A common question we get asked is – what is the quantitative experience statement? All MSc applicants are required to complete this section of the application form and it helps us to assess your academic background.

14 December 2022 Admissions

How to prepare for your scholarship video interview

To be applicable for certain scholarships, you will need to submit three-minute scholarship video response – which is replacing the scholarship essay question of previous years.

8 January 2024

Admissions

Completing an application for an MSc programme can be a daunting prospect. Even candidates who have fully researched the application process and entry requirements, often still ask us ‘What does the ideal candidate look like?’

Our programmes are very competitive, which means that we look closely at all aspects of an application, not just your academic record. While of course academic achievement is very important, and you must meet the academic entry requirements for the programme you are applying for, there are many other important aspects to the application.

At 51�Թ�� Business School, we are looking for well-rounded, motivated candidates who can bring more to the table than just a strong academic record. We want to see what differentiates you from the hundreds of other applicants who apply to our MSc programmes!

While work experience and internships that are directly relevant to the programme you are applying for can strengthen your application, do not underestimate the value of transferable skills. As many of our MSc programmes are designed for new and recent graduates, if you have minimal work experience, you will not be alone!

Think about where you may have picked up transferable skills that will benefit your MSc studies and future career. This is useful to start thinking about now as employers will also be looking for candidates who can bring more than just academics to their company. This will be the distinguishing factor between you and thousands of other similar people.

The vast majority of the successful students who join our MSc programmes have done one or some of the following:

Have hobbies or interests outside of their academic lives. This could involve being an active member of a society at university (sports, dancing, cooking, drama… the list is endless!) or spending time volunteering or raising money for a cause that means a lot to them.

Have international experience. This could be through studying or living abroad for your entire university studies or as part of it. If you haven’t studied abroad, then it could be through volunteering, travel or other activities during your holidays.

Speak additional languages. For many of you, English is already an additional language and it isn’t uncommon for our students to be fluent in four or five languages which can increase their employability. If English is your native and only language, do not worry – there’s lots of opportunities to learn or improve on your language skills whilst at 51�Թ�� both through formal classes and also peer to peer support from your class mates.

Have demonstrated positive impact or achievement. This could be through representing a region or country at sports, or something more altruistic such as mentoring young people to making changes to your university experiences through student leadership. We now offer a £20,000 Dean’s Impact scholarship for candidates who demonstrate impact and achievement in any of the following five key areas: Entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, sustainability, social impact and leadership, so this is certainly something that we are keen to hear about in your application and in the scholarship video assessment.

Have thought about their immediate career goals after graduating from their MSc. You will be entering a highly competitive recruitment market upon graduating and we want to see that you have already thought about the skills and experience you are going to need to succeed in your target organisation and role. If you are planning on setting up your own business, we want to see that you have thought about what expertise or product your business will deliver and that you have researched the market you wish to enter.

Most importantly, our students are eager to share their experiences, support their colleagues, and teach as well as learn from their peers. This comes across in their applications, interviews, when they are here as students and afterwards as part of our alumni network.

Our podcast

Listen to our podcast, Inside IB, to learn more about creating a stand-out application

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AI in admissions: how to use it responsibly in your application

Rebecca Pike — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:52:55 +0000

AI in admissions: how to use it responsibly in your application

Rebecca Pike Wed, 20/11/2024 - 14:52

28 April 2023 Admissions

Satisfying your English Language Requirement

With the start of term rapidly approaching you will now be looking to meet all your conditions, including your English language requirements to make sure you are ready for the start of term.

16 December 2022 Admissions

The Quantitative Experience Statement Explained

14 December 2022 Admissions

How to prepare for your scholarship video interview

To be applicable for certain scholarships, you will need to submit three-minute scholarship video response – which is replacing the scholarship essay question of previous years.

3 December 2025

Admissions

The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, has grown exponentially over the last few years. As a result, AI in university admissions has become increasingly common, with applicants using them to shape their personal statements, essays, interview preparation and interviews.

As a Business School at the forefront of innovation, we understand the appeal: AI can help spark ideas, check grammar and refine structure. But authenticity remains essential and there’s an important line between using AI as a tool and relying on it as a substitute for your own voice.

In this blog, we explore how to use AI responsibly while ensuring your application represents who you are and what you want to achieve.

So, what’s the issue?

At 51�Թ�� Business School, we’re looking for unique thinkers, problem-solvers and future leaders who aren’t afraid to be themselves. We’re looking for you; your ideas, your motivations, your experiences and your potential. When an application is heavily written or shaped by AI, we lose the ability to understand who you really are.

AI-generated content can often sound generic, over-polished, or oddly impersonal. It lacks the subtlety and depth that comes from someone reflecting honestly on their journey. In a competitive process, this can work against you; rather than helping you stand out, it can cause you to lose the individuality and unique qualities that set you apart.

What we do encourage

We’re not against using technology, far from it. Many of our programmes explore how AI and data science are transforming industries. But when it comes to your application, think of AI the way you might think of a spellchecker or a friend reading over your essay: helpful in small doses, but not the main author.

Here are a few acceptable (and encouraged) ways to use AI:

Structure: getting tips on how to organise your personal statement
Proofreading: catching typos or awkward phrasing
Idea generation: generating prompts to reflect on your experience or career goals

But the ideas, the reflection and the tone? That should be your own.

Why authenticity matters in your professional life

Outside of your application, authenticity matters greatly in your professional life – both now and in the future. Being able to effectively communicate your own ideas in a business setting, without relying on AI to come up with those ideas, develops leaders who can effectively communicate, collaborate and make clear decisions under pressure.

Relying on your own voice to articulate your thoughts shows self-awareness, integrity and confidence – all qualities that matter just as much in the workplace as they do in your application.

What we’re looking for in our video interview

As part of the application, you’ll complete a short video interview through our secure platform. This is your opportunity to speak directly to us (without the pressure of a live panel and to demonstrate your communication style, motivation and fit for the programme). We want to hear you, not a rehearsed script or AI-generated phrasing. Reading from prepared answers or relying on AI tools during the recording is not permitted and, in many cases, can be detected.

More importantly, it works against your ability to show genuine presence and personality. The strongest videos are conversational, natural and reflective. We are not evaluating cinematic quality, we are evaluating authenticity, clarity of thought and your ability to articulate your goals in your own words.

Applying with integrity

At 51�Թ�� Business School we take a holistic view of each applicant, looking beyond grades and test scores to understand your motivations, experiences and potential. As we look at written statements, interviews and scholarship applications, we want to ensure that what we see represents you, not a machine.

We’ve introduced new ways to detect AI-generated content and are continuously adapting our review process. But more than that, we want to create a culture of honesty, effort and ownership because those qualities make great students, future leaders and members of our community.

AI is here to stay and, used wisely, it’s a powerful tool. But when it comes to your application, we encourage you to be human. Tell us your story, your way. That’s what will stand out.

Top tips for using AI responsibly in your application

Be yourself, not a persona: avoid overly polished or “corporate-sounding” language. Our teams can quickly recognise content that doesn’t match a candidate’s genuine communication style.
Use AI thoughtfully but sparingly: it’s fine to brainstorm or check structure, but write your own sentences. If a sentence doesn’t feel like something you would naturally say, rewrite it until it does.
Reflect before you write: start with bullet points in your own words before opening any tools. Your story will be stronger when it comes from genuine reflection.
Prepare for the video interview like a conversation: practise key themes, not scripts. Focus on clarity, motivation and relevance rather than memorising lines.
Don’t read during the video interview: reading is immediately visible and creates a stilted delivery. Instead, keep brief prompts off camera if needed, and speak naturally.
Show your thinking: whether in your statement or your video, explain why you want this programme, why now, and why 51�Թ��. Substance matters more than style.
Keep consistency across components: your writing, your interview and any scholarship submissions should sound like the same person. Consistency is a strong marker of authenticity.
Remember what we value: integrity, curiosity and self-awareness are as important as technical ability. Let these come through in your application.

Discover our Master’s programmes

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We explore best practice when it comes to using AI for your application to 51�Թ�� Business School

4 minute read

Coding proficiency guidance for Master’s applicants

Khadijah Dowin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:52:55 +0000

Coding proficiency guidance for Master’s applicants

Khadijah Dowin Wed, 20/11/2024 - 14:52

28 April 2023 Admissions

Satisfying your English Language Requirement

With the start of term rapidly approaching you will now be looking to meet all your conditions, including your English language requirements to make sure you are ready for the start of term.

16 December 2022 Admissions

The Quantitative Experience Statement Explained

14 December 2022 Admissions

How to prepare for your scholarship video interview

To be applicable for certain scholarships, you will need to submit three-minute scholarship video response – which is replacing the scholarship essay question of previous years.

3 November 2025

Admissions

Coding has become a vital skill across business, finance and analytics — enabling professionals to turn data into insight and theory into practice. At 51�Թ�� Business School, we value this capability as part of the admissions process for our Master’s, including our MSc Financial Technology and MSc Business Analytics programmes.

To help you reflect on your own abilities and prepare for study, we’ve added a self-assessment section to the application. This section invites you to describe your experience with different coding languages and tools, giving the admissions team a clearer picture of your background and potential to build on these skills during the programme. This guide explains how we define Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels across the key languages and tools most relevant to our programmes: Python, R, C++, Java, VBA and SQL.

Why coding matters

Whether your interest lies in financial modelling, data science, or large-scale systems, coding is central to turning theory into practice. A solid understanding of programming will help you to analyse data effectively, build models and solve applied problems in both business and finance.

We do not expect all applicants to be at the same level across all languages. What matters most is that you are transparent about your skills and willing to continue developing them during the programme.

Coding platforms and proficiency levels

Python

Python is widely used across data science and financial technology, thanks to its flexibility and extensive library ecosystem.

Beginner: You can write simple scripts, use basic data types (lists, dictionaries) and perform operations in Jupyter Notebooks.
Intermediate: You are comfortable with libraries such as NumPy, Pandas and Matplotlib; can clean and analyse datasets; and understand functions and classes.
Advanced: You can design and implement larger projects, optimise code performance and work with advanced libraries for machine learning or analytics.

R

R is highly valued for statistical modelling, econometrics and data analysis.

Beginner: You can import data, perform basic descriptive statistics and create simple plots.
Intermediate: You are comfortable using packages such as tidyverse or ggplot2, can perform regression analysis and run hypothesis testing.
Advanced: You can develop custom functions, conduct time series analysis, or work with advanced statistical/machine learning models.

C++

C++ is widely used in quantitative finance and high-performance computing, particularly where speed and efficiency are critical.

Beginner: You can write simple programs, use loops and conditionals and compile code successfully.
Intermediate: You understand object-oriented programming, can work with libraries and manage data structures efficiently.
Advanced: You can build optimised applications for numerical analysis, trading systems, or performance-critical tasks.

Java

Java is often used in large-scale business and financial systems, especially in back-end development and risk management platforms.

Beginner: You can write and run basic programs, use variables, loops and simple functions.
Intermediate: You are confident with object-oriented programming, exception handling and collections frameworks.
Advanced: You can design complex applications, manage concurrency and implement scalable systems.

VBA (Visual basic for applications)

VBA is widely used to automate tasks in Excel, build financial models and streamline reporting.

Beginner: You can record and edit macros, perform repetitive tasks and work with basic Excel functions.
Intermediate: You can write VBA scripts with variables, loops and conditional logic; create custom functions; and automate processes across workbooks.
Advanced: You can design full-scale applications within Excel, integrate VBA with external databases, and optimise performance for large-scale data handling.

SQL (Structured query language)

SQL is essential for working with databases, retrieving data and handling large datasets efficiently.

Beginner: You can write simple queries to select and filter data from a single table.
Intermediate: You can join multiple tables, use aggregate functions and write subqueries.
Advanced: You can design and optimise database structures, create stored procedures and work with complex queries for large-scale datasets.

How we assess your coding proficiency

When reviewing applications, we recognise that not all applicants will have the same strengths across programming languages. Applicants are encouraged to outline their current skills honestly and highlight areas where they have the most experience.

We consider a broad range of programming languages relevant to our programmes. Each language brings valuable skills whether in statistical analysis, data handling, automation, or building scalable systems.

Final thoughts

Many applicants will be stronger in one language than another — for example, advanced in R but a beginner in C++. This is completely normal and part of what we want to understand.

As part of the application, there is also an ‘additional notes’ section where you can expand on your coding experience in more detail. The scoring tool will analyse this information as part of your overall coding score, so we strongly recommend using this space to give context or highlight projects you’ve worked on.

Above all, remember that your coding skills will continue to develop during the programme. What matters most is your ability to apply code to solve problems — and your motivation to keep building on your current skillset.

Discover our MSc programmes

Explore more

4 minute read

MSc admissions rounds explained: when to apply for 2026 entry

Khadijah Dowin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:52:55 +0000

MSc admissions rounds explained: when to apply for 2026 entry

Khadijah Dowin Wed, 20/11/2024 - 14:52

28 April 2023 Admissions

Satisfying your English Language Requirement

With the start of term rapidly approaching you will now be looking to meet all your conditions, including your English language requirements to make sure you are ready for the start of term.

16 December 2022 Admissions

The Quantitative Experience Statement Explained

14 December 2022 Admissions

How to prepare for your scholarship video interview

To be applicable for certain scholarships, you will need to submit three-minute scholarship video response – which is replacing the scholarship essay question of previous years.

4 July 2025

Admissions

If you're planning to apply for one of our Master’s programmes at 51�Թ�� Business School, understanding our admissions rounds is an important first step. We operate a round-based admissions process, meaning there are multiple opportunities to submit your application throughout the academic year.

While all rounds are open to qualified candidates, applying earlier can offer key advantages, particularly if you're interested in being considered for a scholarship.

*subject to change
Round	Application deadline	Decision by
Round 1	28 September 2025	26 November 2025
Round 2	7 January 2026	4 March 2026
Round 3	11 March 2026	6 May 2026
Round 4	29 April 2026	17 June 2026

Why apply in round 1 or round 2?

We encourage prospective students to apply in the earlier rounds for several important reasons:

Scholarship eligibility

To be considered for one of our scholarships, you must submit your application in round 1 or round 2. Scholarship funding is limited and awarded on a competitive basis, so early application maximises your chances of receiving financial support.

Programme availability

Our MSc programmes are highly competitive and may be limited before the final rounds. Applying early ensures you are considered while more places are available.

More time to prepare

Submitting your application earlier in the cycle gives you more time to plan, whether that’s organising your finances, applying for a visa, or relocating to London.

Submit a competitive application

To submit a strong application, we recommend that you:

Review the entry requirements for your chosen programme
Prepare a compelling personal statement and updated CV
Arrange transcripts and academic references early
Take any required tests (e.g. GMAT, GRE, or English language tests) in advance of the deadline

Access to careers primers

Applicants who accept their offer by early May gain access to our careers primers and expert guidance from the Careers team. This will equip applicants with the tools and insights to boost their employability before the programme begins.

Access to admit events

Early applicants who receive an offer gain the opportunity to attend exclusive admit events, offering the chance to connect with future classmates, alumni and staff, and begin building their professional network well in advance.

What happens if my application is waitlisted?

If you're placed on the waiting list in one admissions round, don't worry, you'll automatically be considered again in the next round, without submitting any additional documents. To be considered in a given round, make sure you submit a complete application by 23:59 UK time on the deadline. References can follow a week, or so, later.

Questions?

Our Recruitment and Admissions team is here to support you throughout the application process. Whether you're seeking guidance on programme choice, eligibility, or preparing your application, we're here to help.

Please contact business.school@imperial.ac.uk if you have any questions or queries.

Admissions

2 minute read

Top tips for writing your personal statement

Rebecca Pike — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:52:55 +0000

Top tips for writing your personal statement

Rebecca Pike Wed, 20/11/2024 - 14:52

28 April 2023 Admissions

Satisfying your English Language Requirement

With the start of term rapidly approaching you will now be looking to meet all your conditions, including your English language requirements to make sure you are ready for the start of term.

16 December 2022 Admissions

The Quantitative Experience Statement Explained

14 December 2022 Admissions

How to prepare for your scholarship video interview

To be applicable for certain scholarships, you will need to submit three-minute scholarship video response – which is replacing the scholarship essay question of previous years.

9 December 2024

Admissions

Putting together a Master's personal statement can be tricky. Every year, we speak to lots of applicants about what we expect and what we are looking for in the finished piece – it’s something we get asked about a lot!

‘What should I talk about in my personal statement?’

‘How can I make my personal statement stand out?’

‘How long should my personal statement be?’

Fear not! The personal statement section on your application is broken down into two clear questions so you can write responsive answers, that offer us insight into the key attributes we look for! That being said, we do have our own tips and guidelines that we like to share, so read on for our full insight.

Why does 51�Թ�� Business School ask for a personal statement for our Master's?

Quite simply, we ask for a personal statement because we want to know about you. All aspects of your application are important, but many areas tend to be factual and to the point. The personal statement is your opportunity to expand and tell us more about who you are, and what your motivations are for applying to 51�Թ��. Our programmes are hugely competitive, so we often rely on the personal statement to help us understand your profile and fill in any missing pieces from our assessment.

What questions are included in the personal statement section of my application?

You will be required to complete two mandatory questions, which cover your motivation to study and contribution to the cohort. The questions are as follows:

Why do you want to study at 51�Թ�� Business School and how will you contribute to our community? (3500 characters, approximately 500 words)
Treat this as a priority. Ideally, your CV and academic history should have already given us a good idea of your achievements to date, so be sure to tell us why you are pursuing postgraduate study and why you have chosen your programme of interest. You should be able to link your past experiences to your suitability for the programme and expand on anything else that is relevant.

This is also your opportunity to show us how you will enhance 51�Թ�� experience of those around you and how you will make the most of your time at the Business School. Think about how you will make the campus community a better place, whether this be through participation in extracurricular activities or interactions with staff and students across campus.
51�Թ��'s values are Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, Innovation, and Excellence. Describe a time where you embodied one, or more, of these values and explain the impact it had. (2500 characters, approximately 350 words)
This could be professional, personal, or extra-curricular, but we want to know about your achievements, how they may embody our values, and how it has helped shape you into the person you are today. We love to hear about all the interesting things that applicants have done and achieved, and this is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Is there anything I should not write about in my personal statement?

Try not to get too caught up with university rankings or facts about the Business School – we want to hear about you, not us! It’s good to talk about the programme content but avoid simply relaying this information back to us. Focus instead on what interests you the most and how you plan to build on past study.

Don’t waffle - keep it concise! Make sure your answers are clear and succinct.

Check, check, and check again! It’s the golden rule; make sure your personal statement is free from any spelling or grammatical errors. Copying and pasting from any other personal statements you have written, such as one to another institution, is a risky game – don’t reference another university and be sure to use the correct programme title!

Hopefully, we have given you some good guidance on what is expected from the personal statement and we wish you the best of luck if you are submitting an application, and we look forward to reading your personal statement soon!

Please note: the information listed above is subject to change and is advise specifically for our Master's programmes. We regularly review our applications process, including what's required for the personal statement, and 51�Թ�� reserves the right to change this at any time.

Find out more about writing a personal statement for our undergraduate programme

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Get top tips for writing a standout Master's personal statement for 51�Թ�� Business School. Learn how to answer key questions, showcase your motivations, and avoid common mistakes to make a strong impression.

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Applying to 51�Թ��’s Full-Time MBA in London: your guide to a standout application

Helen Richardson — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:35:45 +0000

Applying to 51�Թ��’s Full-Time MBA in London: your guide to a standout application

Helen Richardson Wed, 20/11/2024 - 13:35

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9 December 2021

Admissions

Are you considering applying to 51�Թ��’s Full-Time MBA?

Admission to 51�Թ��’s Full-Time MBA is competitive, and we understand that the application process can seem daunting. In this article we’ve put together some tips to help you make your application stand out.

You can apply for the Full-Time MBA through our online application system. The form asks you to provide details about yourself, your career, your educational history, and your goals. Filling out this information takes careful consideration as you will want to make sure your application highlights everything that makes you an outstanding candidate.

What should you prepare for your application?

Preparation is key when applying for the Full-Time MBA at 51�Թ��. The application process requires you to complete several sections before you can submit. Key parts of the application that require time and attention to detail include the:

Career planning questions

The career planning questions present an opportunity to show how you think 51�Թ��’s Full-Time MBA will support you in achieving your future career aspirations. You will need to write about the sector you are interested in working in, your ideal employer, role and country. This requires research, reviewing job specifications for potential roles and researching employers that you may want to work for. Giving yourself time to consider your answers and really think about what you want to achieve will show our Admissions Team that you know how a Full-Time MBA will truly benefit you and your career.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell us more about yourself, your motivation for undertaking the programme, and how you plan to use your MBA to make a positive impact.

We encourage you to be authentic, and don’t simply write what you think we want to hear. We value diversity and we want to find out what you would contribute to the cohort and the 51�Թ�� community.

It’s a good idea to ask a friend or mentor to proofread your statement before you apply. This will help to ensure that you are presenting your skills and strengths in the best way possible.

Finessing your CV

Uploading your CV is a crucial part of your application. It is important to keep it simple and use a clear format. You should use your CV to highlight professional and academic experience, extracurricular activities, and international experience. You should try to keep your CV to one side of A4, and definitely no more than two.

One of the things we are looking for is evidence of career progression, so make sure you highlight any promotions or increases in level of responsibility.

It’s a good idea to focus on your impact and achievements in each role, rather than simply listing responsibilities.

Find out more

You can learn more about the Full-Time MBA and studying at 51�Թ�� by attending one of our information sessions or webinars. They will give you an opportunity to get more insight into the programme and ask us any questions you have. Register for an upcoming event to meet our Recruitment team and ask any questions you have about the programme or studying at 51�Թ��.

Request a brochure

Learn more about our programmes, career impact and deadlines by downloading a brochure today.

Stay connected

Sign up to our newsletter to receive updates on programmes, scholarships and events to prepare you to take the next step in your journey with 51�Թ��.

Attend an event

Meet us at an upcoming event to find out more about 51�Թ�� Business School.

Listen to our podcast

Listen Inside IB, to learn more about how to navigate the application process

Admissions

Full-Time MBA

Programme

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Before the interview: preparation is key

1. Research the programme thoroughly

2. Know your application inside-out

3. Anticipate common and behavioral questions

4. Conduct mock interviews

5. Set up for a virtual interview

During the interview: show your best self

1. Start strong and build rapport

2. Be clear, concise, and authentic

3. Showcase self-awareness and emotional intelligence

4. Engage in a two-way conversation

After your interview

And finally…

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Employer sponsorship

Loans

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51�Թ���'s BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: your complete application guide

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